Slow-Cooked Comfort: Mastering Italian Turkey Sausage In The Crock Pot

Cooking hot Italian turkey sausage links in a crock pot is a great way to make a tasty, hearty meal with minimal effort. This method produces tender, juicy sausages infused with the flavours of the sauce and seasonings. The crock pot's slow cooking allows the flavours to develop and blend, resulting in a delicious, fall-apart texture. This dish is versatile and can be served in sandwiches, over pasta or rice, or simply enjoyed on its own with a side of roasted vegetables.

How to brown the sausages before crock pot cooking

Browning your sausages before crock pot cooking is a great way to add flavour and texture to your dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Sausages

Slice the sausages in half, or into thirds if they are very long. This will ensure even browning and cooking.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Place a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Drizzle a small amount of vegetable oil or olive oil into the pan. You want the pan to be very hot before adding the sausages.

Step 3: Brown the Sausages

Add the sausages to the hot pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. You are looking for a golden brown colour and a nice crust to form on the sausages. They don't need to be cooked through, just browned on the surface.

Step 4: Transfer to Crock Pot

Once the sausages are browned, transfer them to your crock pot. You can now proceed with your chosen crock pot recipe, adding the remaining ingredients and following the cooking instructions.

Browning the sausages should only take a few minutes and is well worth the extra effort for the added flavour it brings to your dish. This technique can be applied to various crock pot sausage recipes, including those with peppers, onions, and tomato sauce.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Storing and reheating leftovers is an important part of food safety and can ensure that your delicious crockpot Italian turkey sausages stay tasty and safe to eat. Here is a guide to help you store and reheat your leftovers properly:

Storing Leftovers:

• Allow cooked sausages to cool down to room temperature.
• Place the leftover sausages in an airtight container or Ziplock freezer bags.
• Store the sausages in the refrigerator. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Consume the sausages within 3-4 days.

Reheating Leftovers:

There are several ways to reheat your leftover Italian turkey sausages:

• Microwave: Place the sausages on a microwave-safe plate or container. Cover them with a damp paper towel and microwave on medium heat in 1-minute intervals until fully heated.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the sausages on a baking tray and reheat for 10-15 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the sausages with a meat thermometer; they should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Frying Pan: Add a teaspoon of oil to the pan and heat on low to medium. Add the sausages and turn them regularly until properly heated, for about 5-7 minutes.
• Slow Cooker: Place the sausages back in the crockpot or slow cooker and set it to low. Add a little bit of sauce or broth to keep them moist, and heat for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount.
• Other Dishes: Chop up the sausages and add them to dishes like scrambled eggs, pasta, soups, or casseroles. Heat until the sausages are piping hot.

Remember to always ensure that your sausages are reheated thoroughly to prevent any foodborne illnesses. Enjoy your leftovers safely!

How to serve crock pot sausage

There are many ways to serve crock pot sausages. Here are some ideas:

Sandwiches

You can serve crock pot sausages in sandwiches, with the sausages sliced and placed inside rolls or buns. You can also add cheese, such as provolone or mozzarella, and other toppings like onions, peppers, and sauce.

Pasta

Crock pot sausages go well with pasta, whether it's gluten-free, whole wheat, or zucchini noodles. You can also do a 50/50 mix of zucchini and whole wheat noodles. Top with Parmesan cheese and sauce.

Rice

Serve your crock pot sausages over rice, including brown rice or cauliflower rice.

On their own

You can also enjoy crock pot sausages on their own, straight out of the crock pot, with a side of roasted vegetables.

Other options

Crock pot sausages can also be served with cornbread, zucchini pasta, mashed cauliflower or potatoes, and more.

How to make crock pot sausage ahead of time

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make crock pot sausage:

• Olive oil
• Italian sausage links (nitrate-free, turkey, or chicken sausage)
• Onion (white, yellow, sweet, or red)
• Garlic
• Mushrooms (pre-sliced to save time)
• Bell peppers (red, orange, yellow, or green)
• Tomato sauce or marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
• Red wine or chicken/vegetable broth (optional)

Instructions

• Sear the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage links and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they are lightly browned. This step adds flavour and gives the sausages a nice crust. Place the seared sausages on a cutting board and slice them into halves or thirds, depending on their size.
• Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Then, add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer the onions and garlic to the crock pot. Optionally, you can deglaze the onions with some red wine or broth to add extra flavour.
• Cook the Mushrooms: If using mushrooms, add them to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden. Transfer the mushrooms to the crock pot.
• Assemble the Crock Pot: In the crock pot, add the bell peppers, tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices like Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or dried oregano according to your taste.
• Refrigerate Overnight: Once you have added all the ingredients to the crock pot, cover it and place it in the refrigerator. You can prepare the crock pot sausage up to this step the night before and let it sit overnight. This makes it a quick and easy meal to start in the morning.
• Slow Cook: In the morning, take the crock pot out of the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Place the crock pot insert into the slow cooker base, set it to high, and cook for 30 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 5 to 6 hours, or until the sausages are tender and cooked through. For a quicker option, you can cook on high heat for 2 to 3 hours.
• Garnish and Serve: Once the sausages are cooked, stir in some fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional). Serve the crock pot sausage with your choice of sides, such as pasta, rice, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.

Storage and Freezing

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the frozen meal overnight in the refrigerator and then gently warm it on the stove.

How to cook sausages on a stovetop

Ingredients:

• Italian sausage links (you can use either sweet or hot Italian sausages)
• Olive oil or another type of neutral high-heat cooking oil (e.g. canola oil or avocado oil)
• Water or chicken broth
• Optional: bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper

Step 1:

Place a large skillet on the stovetop and heat it over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.

Step 2:

Once the skillet is hot, add the Italian sausages. Cook the sausages for about 2-3 minutes on each side, browning them evenly. The sausages will not be fully cooked at this stage.

Step 3:

Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add half a cup of water or chicken broth to the skillet. Cover the pan and let the sausages simmer.

Step 4:

Cook the sausages until they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F. This should take an additional 4-6 minutes, or up to 10-12 minutes in total cooking time.

Step 5:

For extra flavor, you can add sliced bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté these ingredients separately, adding more olive oil if needed, and then scoop them on top of the sausages in the crock pot.

Step 6:

You can serve the sausages as whole links or slice them up to add to other recipes. Enjoy your delicious stovetop Italian sausages!

Tips:

• It is important to gradually heat the sausages and turn them frequently for even browning.
• Avoid piercing the sausage skin as this will cause the juices to escape, resulting in drier sausages.
• You can also add other ingredients such as tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth to make a heartier dish like crockpot sausage and peppers.

Frequently asked questions